2006 Domaine de la Vieille Julienne Châteauneuf-du-Pape

SKU #113897695 points
Wine Spectator

Very rich and densely packed, with a huge core of raspberry ganache, macerated plum and hoisin sauce notes wrapped by dark licorice, Turkish coffee and charred applewood. The long finish ripples with tannins, but this is velvety and well-integrated. Needs some time. Rather serious juice. Best from 2011 through 2033.
(5/2009)

94 points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2006 Chateauneuf du Pape exhibits a dense purple color as well as an expressive bouquet of black currants, licorice, kirsch, meat juices, and hints of spice box as well as lavender. Full-bodied, opulent, rich, and stunningly concentrated, it is one of the vintage’s finest efforts. This beauty should provide plenty of pleasure over the next 15+ years. Always one of my favorite Chateauneuf du Pape estates to visit, proprietor Jean-Paul Dauman has made Domaine de la Vieille Julienne a brilliant reference point for this appellation. These are traditionally made, extraordinarily concentrated Chateauneuf du Papes created from old vine, biodynamically farmed sites and made from minuscule yields, hands off, no SO2 during vinification, and aged in neutral tanks or old wood. I thought the 2007s, as strong as they were, were matched by what this estate achieved in 2006. This is one of a handful of vineyards where the 2006s do not take a back seat to what is essentially the greatest vintage of my lifetime in the southern Rhône, 2007. I was surprised to learn that there will be no 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Reserve, a wine that comes from 103-year-old Grenache vines planted in pure sand that is aged in old foudres and tanks. Jean-Paul told me there was really no difference in the character of that wine when compared to the wines from their other parcels, so they felt a separate cuvee was not merited.
(10/2008)

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Rhone Blends

Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.

Sub-Region:

Rhone

- Legendary wine-producing region in southeast France. Stereotypically speaking, Rhone wines are high in alcohol, and the majority produced is red. The northern Rhone is best known for outstanding 100% Syrah wines from areas such as Cote Rotie and Hermitage, as well as for fabulous white wines from Condrieu (where Viognier is king). In the southern Rhone, look for spicy, full-bodied wines that are blends of Grenache, Syrah, and other varietals coming from appellations such as Chateauneuf du Pape, Gigondas, or Rasteau. Wines labeled as Cote du Rhone or Cotes du Rhone Village (a cut above generic Cotes du Rhone) are frequently found here in the US because they often represent some of the best values on the market. View our bestselling Rhone Valley wines.